UPDATE: Bulk of Storm Skips Murrieta

UPDATE 6:45 p.m.: The threat of flash floods and lightning skipped over much of Murrieta today, but just to the north, Menifee saw two wildland fires caused by lightning strikes. Both blazes were quickly doused and there were no injuries.

Perris and Menifee both experienced multiple power line problems throughout the afternoon, and Southern California Edison was continuing to restore electricity to affected communities.

Nuevo had several instances of residential flooding, and Romoland saw a patio cover take flight in the wind.

According to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Hagemann, none of the incidents--most of which occurred between 3 and 3:30 p.m.--resulted in injury.

Murrieta Fire Chief Matt Shobert confirmed there were no incidents in Murrieta resulting from the wacky, summer storm.

"I think it just kind skirted right around us," Shobert said.

A “monsoonal surge” heading to the region from the southeast caused the weather, according to the National Weather Service.

Wind gusts were expected to reach 20 mph through today and tomorrow.

Otherwise, the weather will be hot and humid for the rest of the week, with highs in the upper 80s and lows in the low 60s and upper 50s.

Toni McAllister and Peter Surowksi contributed to this update.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.:

Southwest Riverside County was under a thunderstorm warning until 3:30 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

The activity appeared to be north of Murrieta. A thunderstorm producing winds in excess of 60 mph was spotted on the doppler radar at about 2:52 p.m. in Perris. The storm was expected to hit Sun City and then Lake Elsinore.

The weather service advised that thunderstorms in the middle of summer in the Inland Empire could produce tornadoes.

ORIGINAL POST:

A flash flood warning has been issued for much of Southern California, including central southwest Riverside County and Murrieta.

Very heavy rain that hit Palomar Mountain at 1:18 p.m. was heading north at 5 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

"The nearly stationary movement coupled with heavy rain indicates a high probability for flash flooding," stated the weather service.

The warning was issued at 1:31 p.m. and was in effect until 2:30 p.m.